THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The State Government has granted administrative sanction for tourism infrastructure development works worth Rs 2.87 crore at various centres.

A spokesman said that Rs 1.5 crore will be spent on acquiring five power boats and 28 micro speed boats which can carry two passengers as part of measures to promote water sports activities along the Vembanad and Ashtamudi lakes.

Other expenditure heads are: Rs 17 lakh for procuring a boat for plying in the Kodimata-Vaikom-Kumarakom-Alappuzha sector; Rs 20 lakh for setting up an artificial fountain and illumination at the Akkulam Tourist Village; Rs 35 lakh for sprucing up the ramparts of the Palakkad Fort; Rs 14.80 lakh for landscaping of the area adjacent to the Chinese fishing nets in Ernakulam and Rs 47 lakh for beautifying Cherai beach.